Aug. 23, 1978: In a swap of running backs, the Baltimore Colts send holdout Lydell Mitchell, their career rushing leader, to the San Diego Chargers for oft-injured Joe Washington. In his three seasons here, Washington will gain nearly 4,000 combined rushing and receiving yards, lead the NFL with 82 receptions in 1979 and make the Pro Bowl.

Aug. 24, 1969: Australia's Rod "The Rocket" Laver defeats Pancho Gonzalez, 41, in five sets to win the men's title in the Baltimore Country Club Grass Court Pro Tennis Tournament. The women's title goes to Rosemary Casals, 20, who breezes in straight sets past Billie Jean King. All four would be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Aug. 23, 1958: The Orioles acquire pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm, 35, off waivers from the Cleveland Indians for $20,000. In 41/2 years with Baltimore, the knuckleballing Wilhelm goes 43-39 with a 2.42 ERA and makes the All-Star team three times. In 1958, the Hall of Fame-bound right-hander no-hits the New York Yankees and, a year later, leads the American League with a 2.19 ERA.

Aug. 20, 1953: The International League Orioles lose an 8-2 exhibition to the St. Louis Browns before an announced 10,681 in Baltimore, one of seven cities courting the American League's worst team. Don Larsen pitches a five-hitter and Billy Hunter homers for the winners.

Aug. 22, 1951: Jack Perkins, the largest player on Navy's football team, receives a pardon from a Utah jail to return to the academy. Convicted of assaulting a man who complained of his obscene language, the 217-pound Perkins blames his misbehavior on drinking beer and vodka. He becomes an All-East tackle for the Midshipmen.

Aug. 22, 1936: Second baseman Max Bishop walks six times, tying an IL record in the Orioles' 18-9 victory over the Albany Senators.

Aug. 21, 1901: Outraged by his calls against the home team, Orioles fans attack AL umpire Tom Connolly in the fourth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers. Forty policemen surround Connolly, hustle him off to the dressing room and — one hour later — to a waiting carriage, where mounted police on either side of the vehicle shield him from the angry crowd outside the ballpark.